"...neither brother appears to have been legally entitled to own or carry firearms where they lived, a fact that may add to the national debate over current gun laws. Last week, the U.S. Senate rejected a bill to expand background checks on gun purchases, legislation that opponents argued would do nothing to stop criminals from buying guns illegally.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, who was killed in the shootout with police, would have been required to apply for a gun license with the local police department where he lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

But there is no record of him having done so, according to Cambridge Police Department spokesman Dan Riviello.

Even if he had earlier received a gun license from somewhere outside Cambridge, that license would have to be registered with Cambridge police upon becoming a resident of the city, Riviello said. In Massachusetts, gun licenses are issued by municipal police departments.

"There is no record of him having a license to carry," Riviello told Reuters.

Tsarnaev's younger brother Dzhokhar, 19, who was captured alive on Friday after the manhunt, would have been too young to get a handgun license. Under state law, residents under 21 may only apply for a so-called firearms identification card, which allows the holder to own only rifles that hold 10 rounds or less and shotguns.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev had no record of a firearms ID card in Cambridge. The police department in Dartmouth, where Dzhokhar was a student, said they had no record of gun licenses or ID cards for either brother. "

Under current laws, if a background check reveals that your name is on the national terrorism watch list, you're still free to walk out of a gun dealership with a firearm in your hands — as long as you don't have a criminal or mental health record.

Data from the Government Accountability Office show that between 2004 and 2010, people on terrorism watch lists tried to buy guns and explosives more than 1,400 times. They succeeded in more than 90 percent of those cases, or 1,321 times.

I think you guys are missing the forest for the trees. If a person is on a terrorist watch list, there is no way they should be able to buy a gun. In fact, that they have attempted to buy one (if the background check pops) then officials should be notified. None of that is happening. Its no wonder American born Adam Gadahn promped his fellow Al Qaeda operatives with the following:

"America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms," Gadahn says, "you can go down to a gun show at the local convention center" and buy a gun without a background check.

Then a faint smile crosses Gadahn's face. "So what are you waiting for?" he asks.

Not missing the point at all. The OP seems to want to blame the NRA for this. I submit he's barking at the wrong group. It's our fine senate and congress who he should be upset with.

The NRA was the primary lobbying force that succeeded in scuttling the regulations that would have done the common sense thing and not allowed people on a watch list to buy guns. They have culpability here.

Yes, ultimately the legislators bear responsibility but like any other special interest that looks over their shoulders and vows to support primary challengers for going off the reservation, the message is clear. None of this is news, thats how the American political system works. The average person gets one vote and corporate interests, of which the NRA is one, gets a much louder voice and vote by nature of its deep pockets and willingness to publically threaten law makers with its "grading" of their votes.

"America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms," Gadahn says, "you can go down to a gun show at the local convention center" and buy a gun without a background check.

Then a faint smile crosses Gadahn's face. "So what are you waiting for?" he asks."

False. Federal law requires licensed dealers give background checks at gun shows. Since liberals tell us all gun owners at gun shows are racist rednecks, not sure any Muslim can convince anyone there for a private sale to someone they dont know....unless they all decide to break existing laws.

Under current laws, if a background check reveals that your name is on the national terrorism watch list, you're still free to walk out of a gun dealership with a firearm in your hands — as long as you don't have a criminal or mental health record.

Data from the Government Accountability Office show that between 2004 and 2010, people on terrorism watch lists tried to buy guns and explosives more than 1,400 times. They succeeded in more than 90 percent of those cases, or 1,321 times.